The Camden Tales

11 - Schemes & Proposals

-=₪ April 1922 ₪=-

A.B.C / Bonny Street / 8.03am

As Malka approached the office door, she saw through the windows Alfie was reclined in his chair, feet crossed on his desk and hat over his eyes. He was fast asleep.

She opened the door as quietly as possible, slipped in and closed it gently behind her again. Alfie was softly snoring while hugging his cane.

Malka watched him with a smile as she removed her coat and placed it on the sofa with her hat. She noticed the telegram on the desk which she read, followed by a few nods and placed back. She then went to his side and perched herself the edge of the desk, just in front of his feet. She watched him sleep for a while as she put off waking her Jewish king, but then resting her hand on his leg, she gently rubbed.

She didn't like to wake him and to be asleep at work meant he must have slept particularly poorly during the night, even for him. Which wasn't a shock given the previous day's events but sleeping at work always made him jumpy.

Loud noises were common in the distillery, not to mention people bursting in through the office door or the phone ringing. Being jumpy was a slippery slope for her husband, something which she needed to manage and something he had been prone to since returning to France. Malka continued to gently rub his thigh as he began to stir.

"Mmm." rumbled deep from within him.

Knowing that he was still half asleep but aware of his surroundings, Malka leaned over, lifted his hat a little and gave him a kiss. His eyes remained closed, but she felt his lips respond.

Now confident he was awake enough, she placed the hat back over his eyes and resumed her position leaning against the desk.

"Police have been arresting Black Country boys in Camden this morning on civil unrest charges." she informed him with a lowered voice.

"Mm."

"They do seem to think that Arthur shot Billy. They've been cursing the treacherous Gypsy king and started fleeing the city."

Alfie took in a deep breath, smacked his lips and swallowed. She watched him give a deep, long exhale through his nose.

Malka rubbing his leg again, "Maybe you should go home darlin', get some proper sleep?"

"That Major Campbell seems to be involved with the seizing of Tommy's export business." he mumbled.

This took Malka by surprise. She still hadn't been sure why or how this Chester Campbell was involved.

"Seems he wasn't really exporting car parts. It was a cover for shipping whiskey."

"Now that makes sense." Malka stated.

"Good fucking whiskey too." Alfie shared, sounding a little more awake.

Malka observed him still reclined in his chair and hat over his eyes. She grabbed his cane at his stomach.

"He must have planned to ship to countries with prohibition." she said, shaking the cane a little.

Alfie's breathing paused as he pressed his lips together, he then lifted his hat and looked at Malka. She nodded with a raised brow.

"Imagine Alfie, getting our rum to countries with prohibition."

"Oh, believe me love, I have imagined and I have schemed." he said, taking his feet off the desk.

He placed his hat back on his head, leaned his cane between his legs and sat forwards at his desk. His elbows rested on the leather as Alfie began stroking his beard and fiddling with the rings on his fingers.